Live Scorpion Found In Giant Spinach Bag: Patch PM

Here are some stories to share this evening from Patch sites across Maryland:

Maryland Couple Finds Live Scorpion In Spinach Bag
The Giant-brand spinach from a local store in Landover contained more than one couple bargained for, and they returned it to the grocer along with a creepy crawler in a jar. “It says ‘triple washed’ right?” the Maryland man said of the lettuce. “Generally people think it was washed.” The company did not issue a recall for the spinach but pulled the rest of the spinach bags from the shelves at the store.

Larry Hogan Among 5 Most Popular Governors In U.S.
Hogan's constituents give him an approval rating of 73 percent in a new poll, putting him among the most popular governors in the U.S. The high poll numbers came despite attempts by opponents to tie him to the unpopular policies of President Donald Trump — Hogan didn't support Trump and refused to vote for him in November. The least liked governor is New Jersey's Chris Christie, the poll shows.

Edgewood Soldier Killed In Afghanistan
Staff Sgt. Mark R. De Alencar, 37, was killed in combat when confronted by enemy forces using small arms fire in Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan, over the weekend. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. His remains arrived at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on Monday. He leaves behind a wife and five children in Maryland.

Whole Foods Opening New Store in Riverdale Park on Wednesday
Since the grand opening of Whole Foods is expected to be huge, Prince George's County Police warned people to avoid the area around 8:45 a.m. on Wednesday, April 12, due to expected heavy traffic. The new Whole Foods is part of a boom in the area near the University of Maryland's campus in College Park, as a four-star hotel and some retail and restaurant locations are opening up there this summer. Prince George's County is offering free rides Wednesday through Friday on bus route 17 for anyone wishing to visit the store

Man Dies In Annapolis Area House Fire
Nearly 60 firefighters from the United States Naval Academy and the Annapolis Fire Department were called to a house fire at 1:30 a.m. Tuesday. Fire officials say two men were inside the house, and one escaped. Because of the intensity of the fire, first responders could not go into the house.

Feds Urge Probe Of Baltimore City Schools Transportation Department
"BCPS did not review crash reports, did not maintain crash cost documentation, did not maintain criminal background reports, and had a drug-testing program that did not comply with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations," according to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) report issued Tuesday. "The NTSB is concerned that these BCPS shortcomings in its oversight of school bus drivers place BCPS students, as well as the public, at risk."

• Noodles & Company Shutters Both Bethesda Locations
• Howard County Hosts 10th Annual Green Fest
• National Pet Day: These Animals Found In Anne Arundel County Need Forever Homes
• Fatal Crash Involving Motorcyclist Closes Chevy Chase Intersection
• Baltimore County Asks For Input On Pedestrian, Bicycle Plans

Patch PM shares a few of the day’s must-read items from our Maryland network. The Patch community platform covers communities across the state.